Bill Mccaffrey Leaving Duke

Transfer To Stanford Rumored

Saying he wants to be a full-time contributor, Bill McCaffrey, the Duke sophomore guard who made this year's All-Final Four team, announced yesterday that he will transfer from the university.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said in a statement that McCaffrey has been granted his release from Duke, which beat Kansas 72-65 for the NCAA championship April 1. McCaffrey will leave Duke after the spring semester, according to the statement.

"It has been a real pleasure coaching Bill," Krzyzewski said in the release. "He has made a big contribution to our team for the past two years and has represented Duke in great fashion."

In a prepared statement, McCaffrey, the former Central Catholic standout, said he is looking for a university whose "goals and objectives are more aligned with my own." He said those objectives include a strong academic environment, a major basketball conference and a good basketball program "which needs a major, full-time contributor."

McCaffrey added that he wants to gain experience at both guard positions and maximize his playing time.

" ... It is with mixed emotions I have decided to explore potential career opportunities which may be made available to me and in my best interest," McCaffrey said.

"I feel apprehensive not knowing what opportunities will be made available, but I have confidence in my ability to succeed at whatever I choose to do," he continued. "I feel my decision is best for all concerned because it is what I truly want.

"I would not be doing anyone justice by settling for less."

Ed McCaffrey Sr., Bill's father, said last night that Bill has not yet contacted any schools about a transfer. According to NCAA policy, a player must be granted his release before contacting other schools.

However, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Monday quoted basketball analyst Dick Vitale as saying that Bill McCaffrey would transfer to Stanford. Vitale made the comment at Sunday's Dapper Dan Roundball Classic in Pittsburgh.

"I don't know where (Vitale) gets this stuff," Bill McCaffrey said Monday night. "I'm going to have a talk with him when he comes down here."

Bill's brother, Ed McCaffrey Jr., is a senior at Stanford and an All-America wide receiver. Concerning his brother's situation, Ed said yesterday: "I didn't convince him to do anything. I just heard about it today. He made the decision on his own, but he's not definitely coming to Stanford."

Bill McCaffrey started 21 games for Duke this season and played in 38 of the team's 39 games. He missed only the Dec. 29 Duke-Lehigh game due to a sprained left ankle. He averaged 24.8 minutes per game.

Bill McCaffrey was the team's second-leading scorer, averaging 11.6 points per game. He also led the team in free-throw shooting, converting 83.2 percent of his attempts.

In the NCAA championship game, Bill McCaffrey made 6-of-8 field-goal attempts -- including two 3-pointers -- and went 2-for-2 from the free-throw line to score 16 points.

Ed McCaffrey Sr. said that his son has been talking with his coaches throughout the year about his role with the team. He added that Bill was not unhappy at Duke but was concerned about his place on the team in the future.

Next season Duke will return four starters from the national-championship team and will add three key players. Prep stars Cherokee Parks (6-11) and Erik Meek (6-10) will join redshirt freshman guard Kenny Blakeney.

Bill McCaffrey wants a chance to get more playing time and more ballhandling responsibility, his father said. Ed McCaffrey Sr. also said that Bill wants to play more point guard.

"He wants more of an opportunity to be positive impact-player in terms of overall basketball skills," his father said.

"Whatever he wants, that's what we want for him," he continued. "In the final analysis, Billy has to decide what's best for him."

According to NCAA policy, Bill McCaffrey can not play basketball next season. He will, however, retain two years of eligibility after that.

Bill McCaffrey is Central Catholic's all-time leading boys scorer with 2,051 points. In his senior year, he was the Gatorade Player of the Year and also was a McDonald's and Parade All-America selection.

"I would like to thank my teammates and especially Coach K for his genuine interest and concern," McCaffrey said. "The memories will be cherished forever. It was great."